Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four celebrates Jazz 625 for one night only
In the first live Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ black and white TV programme since the 1970s, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four revives the iconic 1960s Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ show Jazz 625 for one night only.
That’s one of the nice things about Jazz 625, they had all the best guys on there… In those days, they had real stars and distinctive players
Broadcasting live from Cheltenham during the Jazz Festival, the special show will feature a house band - led by pianist Robert Mitchell - with special guests including Joshua Redman, Jean Toussaint, Shirley Tetteh, Jacqui Dankworth and Gregory Porter.
There’s also an exclusive recorded performance from legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, showing off his jazz-chops in a quartet with saxophonist Scott Hamilton - a clip of the performance can be seen here:
On Jazz 625, Charlie Watts, says: "That’s one of the nice things about Jazz 625, they had all the best guys on there… In those days, they had real stars and distinctive players. That was one of things I loved about those guys, they just looked so great when they played."
Jazz 625 broadcast from 1964 to 1966 and featured classic performances from the likes of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Ronnie Scott and Cleo Laine. This one-night revival will feature selections from the archive and the house band, with guests paying tribute to those who performed in the original series and includes a new interview with Dame Cleo Laine reflecting on her performance on a classic edition of Jazz 625.
Presented by Andi Oliver the programme will also include interviews and features with some of those who appeared and worked on the original Jazz 625 as well as those who have been influenced by the series and the vintage jazz era it captured.
Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only will be broadcast live on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four at 9pm on Friday 3 May and there will be comprehensive coverage of Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
Andi Oliver, says: “I am absolutely delighted to be presenting this revival of Jazz 625. It is such an iconic programme that captured performances from all of the greats of 1960’s jazz and I am somewhat thrilled to be able to say that we have a host of today’s biggest stars onboard to pay tribute. I truly cannot wait!”
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four, says: “As the home of music on television, I’m incredibly proud that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four is celebrating one of the most legendary of music shows. Jazz 625: For One Night Only promises to be a terrific night of the very best of classic Jazz from the world’s leading contemporary performers.”
Lewis Carnie, Head of Radio 2, says: “Jazz is hugely popular with our listeners, so I’m delighted that Radio 2 will once again be broadcasting from the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, celebrating the genre with special programmes across that weekend and bringing fans even more of the music they love.”
On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2, Jo Whiley will broadcast from Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Thursday 2 May between 8-10pm, featuring a live concert from James Morrison from 8.30pm. For one night, The Country Show with Bob Harris will be broadcast from 7-8pm. On Friday 3 May, John Sessions will present Friday Night is Music Night: The Song Of Soho - a celebration of London's Soho. The programme will feature guest singers Georgie Fame, who sang the number one hits Yeh Yeh, Get Away and The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde in the 1960s; Strictly Come Dancing vocalist Tommy Blaize; and current lead singer of Incognito, Vanessa Haynes. All singers will be accompanied by Guy Barker and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra. On Sunday 5 May at 9pm, Andi Oliver will introduce musical highlights from Friday night's special one night revival on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four of Jazz 625 and will tell the story of this iconic 1960’s Jazz TV show. Amongst those appearing are Gregory Porter, Joshua Redman, Jacqui Dankworth and Rolling Stone's drummer Charlie Watts showing off his jazz chops. Jo Whiley is produced by Anna Richards for Radio 2, Friday Night is Music Night: The Song of Soho is produced by Anthony Cherry for Radio 2 and Jazz 625 is produced by Jez Nelson for Somethin’ Else.
On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music, Gilles Peterson and Cerys Matthews will be presenting their weekly shows from Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Gilles will be on Saturday, 3-6pm (produced by Jesse Howard for Somethin’ Else) and Cerys on Sunday, 10am-1pm (produced by Angela Davies for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ).
Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only is a Somethin’ Else production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four. The Executive Producer is Jez Nelson. It was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four and Jan Younghusband, Head of TV Commissioning for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music. Owen Courtney is the Commissioning Editor.
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